Adjustable diffuser

ABSTRACT

A diffuser frame is provided with a rectangular opening and a rectangular deflector overlies the opening. The deflector is imperforate and is supported from the frame by a number of brackets and a rectangular rod member slidable in the brackets. Two brackets are connected to the frame and two additional brackets are connected to the deflector with the rod member being movable with as well as in the deflector brackets. The deflector is movable with the rod member relative to the frame along one path parallel to one pair of opposed sides of the opening, and is also movable on the rod member along another path parallel to the other pair of opposed sides of the opening but perpendicular to the first path. The deflector thus is movable from a centered position selectively into each of the four corners of the opening or to any position intermediate the centered and corner positions. The deflector is generally dished with a convex side directed toward the frame opening and the concave side directed outwardly.

United States Patent 1 Rick [4 1 Oct. 30,1973

[ ADJUSTABLE DIFFUSER maatlfi sktwtll rebsflist [73] Assignee: WehrCorporation, Milwaukee, Wis.

[22] Filed: May 3, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 250,047

[75] lnventor:

52 us. Cl, 98/40 B [51] Int. CL; F24f 13/06 [58] Field of Search 98/40B, 40 D, 40 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,901,9589/1959 Carnes 98/40 B 2,367,104 1/1945 Demuth 98/40 B PrimaryExaminer-William E. Wayner; Y AttorneyJohn W. Michael et al.

{57] ABSTRACT A diffuser frame is provided with a rectangular openingand a rectangular deflector overlies the opening. The deflector isimperforate and is supported from the frame by a number of brackets anda rectangular rod member slidable in the brackets. Two brackets areconnected to the frame and two additional brackets are connected to thedeflector with the rod member being movable with as well as in thedeflector brackets. The deflector is movable with the rod memberrelative to the frame along one path parallel to one pair of opposedsides of the opening, and is also movable .on the rod member alonganother path parallel to the other pair of opposed sides of the openingbut perpendicular to the'first path. The deflector thus is movable froma centered position selectively into each of the four corners of theopening or to any position intermediate the centered and cornerpositions. The deflector is generally dished with a convex side directedtoward the frame opening and the concave side directed outwardly.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures ADJUSTABLE DIFFUSER BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to air diffusers and, moreparticularly, to an air diffuser which is adjustable to vary thedirection of air being discharged through the diffuser.

The basic function of an air diffuser is to provide control over airbeing discharged into a room to insure thorough penetration of airintothe room but to do so without creating uncomfortable drafts. Also, thediffuser must be aesthetically compatible with the ceiling and thisconsideration has taken on increased importance as more attention isbeing directed toward uninterrupted and completely integrated ceilings.

Among the general objects of this invention is to provide a versatileadjustable diffuser which is also simple in construction and compatibleaesthetically with its surroundings.

For the achievement of these and other objects, this invention proposesa combination diffuser frame defining an air passage opening and adeflector at that opening. The deflector is supported by a bracket androd system for movement along two mutually perpendicular paths. Thepositioning of the brackets and the length of the rods are such that thedeflector is movable to positions at the sides of the opening at bothends of movement along each path to thereby provide selection ofdifferent discharge directions as well as a centered or four-waypattern.

Preferably, the deflector is in the form of a single imperforate plateoverlying the opening to divert air flow through the opening and isdished with its convex side presented to the opening.

For more effective ceiling corner use, the diffuser is made inrectangular form. That is, the diffuser opening and the deflector arerectangular and the bracket and rod system permit movement of thedeflector into the four corners of the opening.

US Pat. No. 2,901,958, assigned to the assignee of this application,relates to an air; diffuser construction of the type with which thisapplication is concerned.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a diffuser viewedfrom the inside;

FIG. 2 is a section taken generally along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section taken generally along lines 3-3 of FIG. I; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the corners of thedifi'user.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The preferred embodiment of thisinvention will be described with the adjustable diffuser installed in aceiling. The air supply duct work and related equipment has not beenillustrated and will not be described since it can take any conventionalform. .The air supply duct work usually terminates at openings in theceiling at which the adjustable diffuser, or similar type apparatus, islocated to control the discharge of air into the room being furnishedwith conditioned air. Diffuser l illustrated in the drawings is adaptedto be positioned at one of the ceiling openings.

The diffuser includes a frame 12 having an outer flange 14 which definesan interior rectangular opening l6 and also includes verticallyextending neck portions 18 positioned along the sides of opening 16.Vertical neck portions 18 are adapted to connect with the terminal endof an air duct and cooperate, with flange 14, in providing a sealedengagement between the diffuser frame and the duct work. In this regard,a sealing member (not shown) is usually provided and overlies flange 14to be positioned between theflange and the ceiling surrounding theceiling opening to insure a sealed connection.

Deflector 20 is positioned at opening 16 on the room side of the openingand spaced below the frame 12 so as to provide a well defined,restricted air passage 22 between the deflector and the sides 16a, 16b,16c, and 16d of opening 16. Structurally, deflector 20 is an imperforateplate having a dished configuration. More specifically, the deflectorhas a flange portion 24 extending around its periphery and a centerupset portion 26 with the convex side of the deflector (specifically theupper side of upset portion 26 as viewed in the drawings) presented toopening 16 while the concave side thereof faces into the room. With thedished configuration, angular sides 28, 30, 32, and 34 provide a slopingsurface for directing the air passing through opening 16 to the side andbetween flange 24 of the deflector and the underside of flange 14 of theframe for discharge into the room.

Deflector 20 is supported at opening 16 by a system of brackets 36, 38,40, and 42 and a rod member 44. Two of the brackets, 38 and 42, areattached to opposed vertical portions 18 of the diffuser so as to bepositioned along two opposed sides 16b and 16d of opening 16. Brackets36 and 40 are attached to angular portions 28 and 32 of the deflectorand as such are positioned in spaced relationship 'on the deflector butare parallel to the other pair of opposed vertical portions 18 of theframe or, in other words, parallel to the pair of sides 16a and 16c ofopening 16. With this arrangement, brackets 36 and 40 areperpendicularto brackets 38 and 42. Opening 16 and deflector 20 being generallyrectangular, it is preferred that rod 44 also be rectangu-' pendicularbut are parallel to the above mentioned pairs of opposite sides ofopening 16.

With the support arrangement justdescribed, it can be observed, asviewed in-FIG. 1, that deflector 20 can be moved to the left and to theright with rod 44 as rod portions 44b and 44d move in guideways 48 and52. This movement is parallel to the plane ofopening 16 and will thenposition the deflector adjacent one of the opposite left and right sides(16a or 16c) of opening 16 as viewed in FIG. 1. Also, deflector 20 issupported for movement relative to rod 44 as well as frame 14 bymovement of the deflector on rod portions 44a and 44c, again parallel tothe plane of opening 16. This movement of the deflector in guideways 46and 50 being up and down as viewed in FIG. 1.

positioned in the upper right hand corner of opening 16, or thedeflector can be positioned either with corner 58 in the lower righthand corner of opening 16, with corner 60 in the lower left hand cornerof opening 16, or with the comer 54 in the upper left hand corner ofopening 16, all as viewed in FIG. 1 and shown in dotted lines.Accordingly, the adjustable diffuser can provide four different types ofair flow pattern. More particularly, with corner 56 positioned in thedotted line showing the principal air discharge through the diffuser,would be down and to the left as viewed in FIG. 1. Similarly, with thecorner 54 positioned in its dotted line showing, the air discharge willbe down and to the right. Corner 58 positioned in its dotted lineposition, will result in air discharge up and to the left and corner 60in its dotted line positioning will result in air discharge up and tothe right, again all as viewed in FIG. 1. This is particularly effectivewhere the diffuser must be positioned in the comer of a room as thedeflector can then be positioned to direct the principal air flow awayfrom the room walls defining the comer. Further with regard to thepossible movement of the deflector 20, it will be noted that brackets 38and 42 are positioned generally centrally of the opening defining wallsof the frame to which they are attached and that with the deflectorpositioned in its center position (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 3) the rodportions 44b and 44d have extensions on both sides of the mountingbrackets sufficient to permit the movement of the deflector towardengagement with opposed sides 16a and 160 of the opening. Similarly, thelength of the rod portions 44b and 44c with respect to their guideways46 and 50 is such that the deflector can be moved for positioningadjacent opening sides 16b and 16d.

With the above discussed arrangement, it will be noted that the use ofthe single deflector at opening 16 provides a diffuser which will veryclosely harmonize with the remainder of the ceiling since it provides aminimum of interruption in the ceiling per se. Moreover, the extensionof the deflector over the edges of opening 16 masks the opening from theroom and the dished configuration of the deflector makes it blend wellwith the ceiling. Also, the bracket and rod supportsystem is relativelysimple and yet provides for complete adjustment of the diffuser formaximum versatility. I

Although but one embodiment of the present invention has beenillustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that various changes and modifications may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A diffuser comprising, in combination,

a frame defining an air passage opening,

means on said frame for attachment to an air duct,

at least one deflector disposed at said opening, and

support means for said deflector adapted to support said deflector fromsaid frame in general alignment with said opening and for movementtransversely of said opening, said support means comprising,

rod means,

means connecting said rod means to said frame and defining guidewayshaving a limited length and in which said rod means is slideablerelative to said frame along a first path,

means connecting said rod means to said deflector for movement of saiddeflector with said rod means relative to said frame and definingguideways having a limited length and in which said rod means isslideable for sliding movement of deflector on said rod means along asecond path perpendicular to said first path,

the relative lengths of said guideways and said rod means being suchthat, when said deflector is positioned generally centrally relative tosaid opening, said rod means have extensions from both ends of saidguideways at least equal to the amount of movement necessary to movesaid deflector to any of the sides of said opening.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said deflector is generally dishedhaving a convex surface and a concave surface and is arranged with saidconvex surface presented to said opening.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said opening is generallyrectangular, and

said means connecting said rod means to said frame and said deflectordefine a first pair of parallel guideways extending parallel to one pairof opposed sides of said opening and a second pair of parallel guidewaysextending parallel to the other pair of opposed sides of said openingand perpendicular to said first pair of guideways so that said deflectoris movable to each of the four comers of said opening as well as to thesides thereof.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said opening is generallyrectangular,

said means connecting said rod means to said frame comprises a firstpair of brackets connected to said frame at one pair of opposed sides ofsaid opening and defining guideways parallel to said pair of opposedsides,

said means connecting said rod means to said deflector comprises asecond "pair of brackets connected to said deflector and definingguideways parallel to the other pair of opposed sides of said opening,and said deflector is generally rectangular.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said ,rod means is a continuous,generally rectangular member.

6. The combination of claim 4 wherein said deflector is larger than saidopening.

7. a diffuser comprising, in combination,

a frame,

means on said frame for attachment to an air duct,

means defining a rectangular air passage opening,

a single rectangular deflector,

' first bracket means attached to said frame and defining therewith afirst guideway parallel to a pair of opposed sides of said opening,

second bracket means attached to said deflector and defining therewith asecond guide way at right angles to said first guideway,

all of said guideways being generally parallel to the plane of saidopening,

and rod means disposed in said guideways for sliding movement thereinwhereby said deflector is movable relative to said opening alongperpendicular paths and parallel to the plane of said opening,

the length of said rod means being such that when said deflector ispositioned generally centrally relative to said opening said rod meanshave extensions beyond both ends of said guideways so that saiddeflector is movable to the sides and each of the four corners of saidopening.

1. A diffuser comprising, in combination, a frame defining an airpassage opening, means on said frame for attachment to an air duct, atleast one deflector disposed at said opening, and support means for saiddeflector adapted to support said deflector from said frame in generalalignment with said opening and for movement transversely of saidopening, said support means comprising, rod means, means connecting saidrod means to said frame and defining guideways having a limited lengthand in which said rod means is slideable relative to said frame along afirst path, means connecting said rod means to said deflector formovement of said deflector with said rod means relative to said frameand defining guideways having a limited length and in which said rodmeans is slideable for sliding movement of deflector on said rod meansalong a second path perpendicular to said first path, the relativelengths of said guideways and said rod means being such that, when saiddeflector is positioned generally centrally relative to said opening,said rod means have extensions fRom both ends of said guideways at leastequal to the amount of movement necessary to move said deflector to anyof the sides of said opening.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein saiddeflector is generally dished having a convex surface and a concavesurface and is arranged with said convex surface presented to saidopening.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said opening is generallyrectangular, and said means connecting said rod means to said frame andsaid deflector define a first pair of parallel guideways extendingparallel to one pair of opposed sides of said opening and a second pairof parallel guideways extending parallel to the other pair of opposedsides of said opening and perpendicular to said first pair of guidewaysso that said deflector is movable to each of the four corners of saidopening as well as to the sides thereof.
 4. The combination of claim 1wherein said opening is generally rectangular, said means connectingsaid rod means to said frame comprises a first pair of bracketsconnected to said frame at one pair of opposed sides of said opening anddefining guideways parallel to said pair of opposed sides, said meansconnecting said rod means to said deflector comprises a second pair ofbrackets connected to said deflector and defining guideways parallel tothe other pair of opposed sides of said opening, and said deflector isgenerally rectangular.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said rodmeans is a continuous, generally rectangular member.
 6. The combinationof claim 4 wherein said deflector is larger than said opening.
 7. Adiffuser comprising, in combination, a frame, means on said frame forattachment to an air duct, means defining a rectangular air passageopening, a single rectangular deflector, first bracket means attached tosaid frame and defining therewith a first guideway parallel to a pair ofopposed sides of said opening, second bracket means attached to saiddeflector and defining therewith a second guide way at right angles tosaid first guideway, all of said guideways being generally parallel tothe plane of said opening, and rod means disposed in said guideways forsliding movement therein whereby said deflector is movable relative tosaid opening along perpendicular paths and parallel to the plane of saidopening, the length of said rod means being such that when saiddeflector is positioned generally centrally relative to said openingsaid rod means have extensions beyond both ends of said guideways sothat said deflector is movable to the sides and each of the four cornersof said opening.